PLATFORM
"Working families are the most under-represented demographic in our state’s legislature. Our system for civic engagement is expensive and is not conducive to those who must work for a living, disenfranchising working people from running for public office. I am blessed to work for an organization that supports my passion. I want to use this privilege to be a voice for working families."
LIST OF ISSUES
Education Reform
Education funding in Vermont needs an overhaul. Funding can no longer be tied to income and property tax when the cost of education continues to rise. What we are seeing are higher employee benefit costs (healthcare), a decrease in student enrollment, and low testing scores. The solution is not consolidating districts, but lowering healthcare costs, increasing oversight on facilities, and expanding services to children who do not fit a one-sized education model. In all the talk about education reform, I have yet to hear anyone mention the students. Why is that? Why are we continuously enacting policy changes that are impacting people that do not have a seat at the table?
Healthcare Reform
This increasingly expensive and complex system can no longer be patch-worked but tossed out completely with an entirely new system put in place. One that prioritizes preventative care, positive health outcomes, removes for-profit insurance companies, and holds health networks accountable to the patient. I should not be in-debt to my own employer because my insurance (whom my employer chooses) does not cover the care I need. For far too long insurance companies have prevented access to care and only seek their own financial gains. Healthcare is impacting everyone’s bottom lines, whether it be families, small businesses, farmers, or those on a fixed income. Rising healthcare costs continue to drive up the costs of school budgets, which then cause rises in property taxes. Our healthcare system is one of the most expenses systems in the country and continues to deeply impact every Vermonter in one way or another.
Economic Vitality
Vermont is uniquely positioned to become more self-sustainable. With an ever-increasing hostile federal government, we can no longer depend on entities like FEMA, USDA, or Commerce. The impact of tariffs and the overreach of federal law enforcement have negatively impacted Vermont’s main economic driving forces: tourism and agriculture. We need to reimagine how to grow our state’s economy by growing our outdoor recreation tourism, expanding upon our creative economic drivers, leading the way in agriculture tourism, cultivating a restorative agricultural economy not only centered on food systems, and creating pathways for new and novel solutions to housing and transportation. The Northeast Kingdom is in a prime position to lead the way in changing the way we view our economic drivers. Innovation does mean losing our Vermont charm but building upon it.
Food Systems
Understanding our food systems, where our food comes from, and how to support our local food producers strengthens not only our communities but also makes our local economy more resilient. Ensuring our access to locally sourced food means not having to rely upon failing supply chains and box stores for our nourishment. What we eat is one of the biggest impacts of health and well-being. Our farmers are one of the most important pillars in our communities and I have seen firsthand how quickly we can come together to support them in times of crisis. But we can and should do more to ensure our farmers have the tools and resources they need to thrive. Understanding food systems also means being more aware of how to prepare fresh foods and as a mom of a young child, I understand how hard it can be to juggle mealtimes with work, homework, and chores.
Housing
The housing crisis we are experiencing is not just a shortage of inventory, but also the quality of housing, the relationships between landlords and tenants, and the demand to keep the Vermont charm in our towns. Developing a comprehensive landlord and tenant Bill of Rights, building smart, energy efficient housing, and restricting the number of vacation homes so more Vermont families can purchase their forever home, passing down equity to their children, should be top priorities in addressing this failing system.
